Bold Blue Coleslaw

Prepare to transform your potlucks and barbecues with a side dish that’s anything but ordinary: our incredibly easy and outrageously delicious Blue Cheese Coleslaw. This recipe takes a classic cabbage side dish and infuses it with a rich, tangy twist that will have everyone asking for seconds. Forget bland, watery coleslaw – our version is bursting with flavor, incredibly creamy, and surprisingly simple to whip up using a homemade dressing and fresh, crisp vegetables. If you appreciate unique flavor combinations and hearty side dishes, then this blue cheese rendition is about to become your new favorite.

For many, blue cheese is a culinary obsession, celebrated for its distinctive pungent notes and creamy texture. So, it felt natural to incorporate this beloved ingredient into a classic comfort food like coleslaw. The result is a vibrant, flavorful dish that goes far beyond a typical cabbage salad. This creamy concoction isn’t just an excellent easy side dish; it truly shines when piled high on shredded pork sliders or as a vibrant accompaniment to grilled meats. Its rich, tangy profile makes it a stellar choice for summer gatherings, adding a gourmet touch without the fuss.

We’ve explored various simple coleslaw recipes over the years, always starting with a reliable base and experimenting with exciting additions. This particular variation, with its generous crumbled blue cheese, introduces an unparalleled depth and a sharp, piquant flavor that beautifully complements the crispness of the cabbage. It’s a flavor explosion you’ll want to revisit at every get-together, offering a sophisticated upgrade to a humble staple.

The Secret to Perfect Homemade Blue Cheese Coleslaw Dressing

The foundation of any exceptional coleslaw lies in its dressing. While the vegetables provide the crunch and freshness, the dressing binds everything together, infusing it with flavor and creamy goodness. Making your own dressing from scratch gives you complete control over the taste and texture, ensuring it’s tailored to perfection. Our blue cheese coleslaw dressing is simple yet impactful, featuring a harmonious blend of creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet elements.

Essential Ingredients for Our Blue Cheese Coleslaw Dressing:

• Mayonnaise: For that essential creamy base. We highly recommend using a quality mayonnaise like Best Foods (or Hellmann’s), as it provides a richer, more authentic flavor compared to sweeter salad dressings.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a bright, zesty tang that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and blue cheese. While bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, fresh is always superior for its vibrant flavor.
• White Sugar: Just a touch of sugar balances the acidity of the vinegar and lemon, creating a well-rounded dressing. You could experiment with sugar substitutes if preferred, though we’ve found white sugar provides the best classic coleslaw sweetness.
• Vinegar: White vinegar is our go-to for that signature tangy bite in coleslaw dressing. It’s crucial for achieving that characteristic piquant flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: These pantry staples are added to taste, allowing you to season the dressing perfectly to your preference.
• Blue Cheese: This is the star of the show! Crumbled blue cheese adds an unmistakable bold, savory, and slightly salty flavor that truly sets this coleslaw apart. We recommend using a good quality blue cheese for the best results.

Best Vegetables for a Vibrant Coleslaw

While the dressing is key, the vegetables provide the texture and freshness that make coleslaw so enjoyable. Starting with a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix (typically a blend of green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrots) is the ultimate time-saver. It’s convenient, consistent, and frankly, most people won’t notice the difference between bagged and hand-chopped cabbage in the final dish. This allows you to focus on the dressing and other fresh additions.

If you prefer to chop your own, you’ll want to thinly slice green or red cabbage for that classic coleslaw texture. Beyond the cabbage, our recipe calls for:

• Shredded Carrots: Often included in coleslaw mixes, but adding extra finely shredded carrots boosts sweetness, color, and crunch.
• Celery: Thinly sliced or diced celery provides a wonderfully crisp texture and a subtle, refreshing flavor that complements the richness of the dressing. It’s also an economical addition.
• Green Onions: Diced green onions introduce a mild oniony bite and a beautiful bright green color, enhancing both the flavor and visual appeal of the coleslaw.

Feel free to experiment with other vegetables you might have on hand, such as finely diced bell peppers for added crunch and color, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for herbaceous notes. The beauty of coleslaw is its versatility!

Can You Make Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise?

Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, or if you’re looking for a lighter or dairy-free alternative, there are excellent substitutes available. For a creamy, tangy dressing without mayo, you could use sour cream, as we do in our red cabbage coleslaw, or even explore potato salad no mayo recipes for inspiration. Another popular and healthier option is plain Greek yogurt. It offers a similar creamy texture with a pleasant tang and added protein. While it will impart a slightly different flavor, it can be a fantastic choice, especially for those seeking dairy-free alternatives or a lighter profile.

What Can You Use Other Than Vinegar in Coleslaw Dressing?

The type of vinegar you use can subtly alter the flavor of your coleslaw. While white vinegar provides a classic, sharp tang, you can easily switch it up based on personal preference or what you have on hand. Apple cider vinegar, for example, offers a slightly fruitier and milder acidity that can be quite delightful. Rice vinegar would provide a more subtle, delicate tang. Experimenting with different vinegars is a great way to customize the dressing to your liking and explore new flavor dimensions.

This coleslaw, like most, tastes best when allowed to chill for at least an hour before serving, allowing the flavors to meld. It also stores well for a day or so in a sealed container in the refrigerator. However, be aware that the cabbage will soften and wilt slightly as it sits, absorbing more of the dressing. If you’re a texture enthusiast who prefers maximum crunch, enjoy it on the fresher side. But rest assured, even after 24 hours, it remains incredibly delicious, making it perfect for next-day lunches alongside leftover grilled chicken or pulled pork.

Tips for Coleslaw Success

Crafting the perfect blue cheese coleslaw is simple with a few helpful tips:

• Choose a Large Bowl: Always use a generously sized mixing bowl. This allows you to comfortably toss and fold all the ingredients together, ensuring every piece of cabbage and vegetable is evenly coated with that luscious dressing.
• Achieve Even Shredding: If you’re opting to chop your own cabbage and other vegetables, consistency is key. A food processor with a shredding disc or a mandoline slicer can help you achieve uniformly thin strips much faster and more evenly than using a knife. Evenly sized pieces ensure a consistent texture in every bite.
• Don’t Overdress: It’s tempting to drench your coleslaw in dressing, but a good coleslaw is coated, not swimming. Start with most of the dressing, toss, and then add more if needed, ensuring a perfect balance of creaminess and crispness.
• Chill Time is Crucial: While you can serve it immediately, allowing the coleslaw to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or even overnight) makes a significant difference. This resting period allows the flavors of the dressing to fully meld with the vegetables, creating a more harmonious and delicious final product.

Blue Cheese Coleslaw Recipe

By
Justine

This easy blue cheese coleslaw recipe is a cheap cabbage side dish, perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or as a tasty accompaniment to any meal. Featuring a rich homemade dressing and fresh ingredients, it’s a delightful twist on a classic.

Prep:

10 minutes
mins

Cook:

0 minutes
mins

Servings:
8

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Equipment

• 1 Large Mixing Bowl
• 1 Chef’s Knife
• 1 Cutting Board
• Whisk or Fork

Ingredients

Coleslaw Base

• 16 oz coleslaw mix (green and purple cabbage with carrots)
• 6 stalks celery, diced
• 4 large green onions, diced
• 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled (for folding in at the end)

Blue Cheese Coleslaw Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise, preferably Best Foods/Hellmann’s
• 2 medium lemons, juiced (about 1.5 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled into small pieces (for the dressing)

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, diced celery, and diced green onions. Set aside the additional 1/2 cup of blue cheese crumbles for later.
• In a separate bowl or a jar, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing: mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, white sugar, white vinegar, salt, pepper, and the 1/2 cup of blue cheese crumbles for the dressing. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
• Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables in the large bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated.
• Gently fold in the remaining 1/2 cup of blue cheese chunks. This adds pockets of intense blue cheese flavor and texture.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate the blue cheese coleslaw for at least one hour before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the coleslaw to become even more refreshing.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1oz
,
Calories: 183kcal
,
Carbohydrates: 8g
,
Protein: 5g
,
Fat: 16g
,
Saturated Fat: 5g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
,
Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
,
Trans Fat: 1g
,
Cholesterol: 19mg
,
Sodium: 319mg
,
Potassium: 274mg
,
Fiber: 3g
,
Sugar: 3g
,
Vitamin A: 394IU
,
Vitamin C: 37mg
,
Calcium: 136mg
,
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine:
American

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How to Serve Blue Cheese Coleslaw

The robust flavor of blue cheese coleslaw makes it a versatile companion to a variety of savory dishes. Its creamy texture and tangy kick beautifully complement rich and smoky meats. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve this incredible side:

• Classic BBQ Pairing: It’s a match made in heaven with slow cooker pulled pork, especially when served on brioche buns. The sharpness of the blue cheese cuts through the richness of the pork perfectly.
• Spicy Chicken Enhancer: Serve it as a cooling counterpoint to the heat of Instant Pot buffalo chicken. It adds a refreshing crunch and a burst of flavor that tames the spice.
• Grilled Meats: Whether it’s juicy steaks, grilled chicken, or savory sausages straight off the grill, this coleslaw adds a gourmet touch to any backyard barbecue spread.
• Fish Tacos: Use it as a vibrant and flavorful topping for fish tacos. The creamy dressing and crisp veggies provide a delightful contrast to flaky fish.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Elevate your everyday sandwiches and wraps by adding a scoop of blue cheese coleslaw for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

What Can I Add to Store-Bought Coleslaw to Make It Taste Better?

Even if you’re short on time, you can still achieve a fantastic blue cheese coleslaw using a store-bought base. Here’s how to upgrade it:

1. Lighten the Mix: Store-bought coleslaw often has an excess of dressing. Transfer it to a larger bowl and mix in some freshly shredded cabbage (green or red) and perhaps some extra shredded carrots to balance the dressing-to-veggie ratio and add more crispness.
2. Boost the Crunch: Incorporate freshly diced vegetables like crisp celery, thin slices of bell peppers, or additional green onions. These additions will significantly improve the texture and freshness.
3. Introduce the Cheese: The simplest and most impactful step is to gently fold in generous crumbles of blue cheese. For another delicious option, try crumbled feta cheese, which offers a different but equally appealing salty tang.
4. Personalize the Dressing: If the dressing seems bland or overly sweet, whisk in a splash of fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, a pinch of salt and pepper, or even a dash of hot sauce for a kick.

How Do You Save Leftover Coleslaw?

Leftover blue cheese coleslaw can be stored and enjoyed, though its texture will naturally evolve. For best results, consume it within 24-48 hours. Always keep it in a well-sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out or absorbing other fridge odors.

As mentioned, the cabbage will soften and wilt a bit over time as it sits in the dressing. If you’re particular about texture and prefer a very crisp coleslaw, try to enjoy it on the day it’s made. However, for those who don’t mind a slightly less crunchy, more marinated texture, the flavors often deepen overnight, making it just as delicious. I personally enjoy using day-old coleslaw on top of pulled pork sliders for lunch the next day, rather than eating it straight from the container. The slight wilt actually helps it integrate beautifully into sandwiches and wraps.

Below, you’ll find comprehensive nutritional information, including calories, saturated fat, and more, which is automatically calculated for your convenience (though it should be used as an approximation).

This Blue Cheese Coleslaw is more than just a side; it’s a conversation starter, a flavor enhancer, and a testament to how simple ingredients can create something extraordinary. Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard BBQ, preparing a holiday feast, or simply looking for a fresh, exciting side for weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers. Its blend of creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavors, coupled with the distinctive kick of blue cheese, promises a memorable culinary experience. Give it a try, and prepare to elevate your coleslaw game!